West Harvey-Dixmoor School District 147

191 West 155

th
Place
Harvey, IL 60426
Phone: (708) 339-9500

March 26, 2013

To Whom It May Concern:

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter of recommendation for Ms. Gretchen
Stewart. I know Ms. Stewart on a professional level as she has served as the Executive
Director of Instruction and Curriculum for Racine Unified Schools, while I was an
Assistant Superintendent. Ms. Stewart came to Racine after having worked successfully
in large-scale school improvement for the Georgia Department of Educations GLRS
Network. Ms. Stewart was highly recommended when she came to Racine, and she has
lived up to that recommendation.

During the interview process for Ms. Stewart, I recall being impressed by her wide range
of experience, especially her leadership and actual teaching experience in both general
and special education. While she has a notable breadth and depth to her experience in
education, Ms. Stewarts major strengths are in instruction and designing a systems
approach to improving teaching and learning through professional development. Anyone
who meets Gretchen quickly comes to understand that she has a deep personal
commitment to student success. She is a champion for all children and has a very special
connection with our most vulnerable. I have witnessed that she is never out of creative
ideas as she collaborated with our top-level administrative team to create strategic plans
around our district mission and vision.

Ms. Stewart is a mature, and supportive person. While working with her, I have been
continually impressed with her commitment to, and laser focus on, excellence. She is
uncompromising in her efforts to provide relevant and smart guidance to administrators. I
was proud to have her as a fellow cabinet member as she literally transformed an
elementary classroom in the space of four (4) months, documented the entire process, and
then used that sustainable example to coach principals in instructional leadership. She left
DISTRICT
ADMINISTRATION

Superintendent
Dr. Bethel Cager

Director of Instruction &
Curriculum
Beverly Bucur

Director of Special Education
Debora W. Matthews

Business Manager/Technology
Supervisor
Tonisha Sibley

Director of Grants
Heather Rose

Director of Buildings & Grounds
Eric L. Lee

BOARD OF
EDUCATION

President
J.C. Smith

Vice President
Michael Smith, M. Ed

Secretary
Mable Chapman

Members
Helen Randall
Katie Jackson Booker
Bonnie Rateree
Pamela Cudjo-Kelly
more than thirty (30) of our schools clamoring for her expertise in that example, and her
time is requested out in our schools more than she could possibly acquiesce to.

A good part of her very quick success in Racine owes to the fact that Gretchen is a highly
visible administrator. She provided numerous professional learning opportunities to our
entire school administrative staff, and they were always received extremely well. Many
of the principals I supervised were equally impressed with her ability to provide practical
guidance and coaching. In a fast paced era of multiple demands on school leaders, Ms.
Stewart is adept at aligning and condensing complex policy mandates and trending best
practices into clear communications and actionable improvement plans. I observed
Gretchen to be an invaluable member of the school improvement plan review team at
both elementary and secondary levels as her knowledge of instructional best practices is
outstanding.

As a public speaker, Ms. Stewart is at ease with all levels of leadership, students, parents,
and the community. She communicates clearly and effectively and is articulate, tactful,
and endearing to the public. She goes about her daily charge with enthusiasm, creativity
and energy. While working with Gretchen, I observed her ability to address and resolve
controversial and long-standing issues with parents. She never appeared flustered by the
day-to-day uncertainties that come with the instructional management and support of
more than thirty (30) schools. As you can tell, I am impressed with Gretchen Stewart. She
is an inspirational and dedicated educational leader. I think she will be an asset as an
administrator in your district. I highly recommend her for any position in which you seek
a transformational change agent. I truly wish I could have recruited her to work on my
own team as Superintendent.

If I can be of further assistance to you or to her in this effort, please do not hesitate to
contact me.

Sincerely,
e collaborated

Bethel E. Cager, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
West Harvey-Dixmoor School District 147